Differences between a phone interpreter and a face-to-face one
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(Last Updated On: August 13, 2018)
First of all, it is really necessary to mention the fact that there is no real difference between a phone interpreter and a face-to-face-interpreter as far as linguistic knowledge is concerned. Both of these interpreters might be coming from the same background and might have achieved the same results. There might be cases when a phone interpreter might be engaged in an in–person interpretation as well.
There are, in fact, some other elements that might make the difference between these two types of interpreters.
First of all, the in–person interpreter needs to pay careful attention to his/ her body language in order not to deliver the wrong communication signal to the persons who are being engaged in the conversation, whilst the phone interpreter does not necessarily need to pay attention to these details because he/ she is not in the same location with the persons who need interpretation services.
Secondly, the phone interpreter needs to focus his/ her mind into his/ her voice. If the voice over the phone increases or decreases suddenly, the individuals who are being interpreted might get confused. Another issue with the interpreter voice is that it might not be properly heard, thus the general concept of the content might be missed or misinterpreted.
Thirdly, the in–person interpreter needs to master concentration techniques which would enable him/ her avoid possible distractions that might cause interruption or lack of proper message delivery. This is not highly relevant to the telephone interpreter. Usually, these interpreters are located in properly isolated rooms or offices that are free of distractible elements.
The telephone interpreter is usually required to be available any time of the day because of over the phone interpretation nature. This is not a prerequisite in the case of the in-person interpreter.
Thus, to be concluded, a professional interpreter can perfectly act as a telephone one or an in–person one as long as he/ she has acquired the above mentioned techniques.
First of all, it is really necessary to mention the fact that there is no real difference between a phone interpreter and a face-to-face-interpreter as far as linguistic knowledge is concerned. Both of these interpreters might be coming from the same background and might have achieved the same results. There might be cases when a phone interpreter might be engaged in an in–person interpretation as well.
Phone interpreter vs face-to-face
There are, in fact, some other elements that might make the difference between these two types of interpreters.
First of all, the in–person interpreter needs to pay careful attention to his/ her body language in order not to deliver the wrong communication signal to the persons who are being engaged in the conversation, whilst the phone interpreter does not necessarily need to pay attention to these details because he/ she is not in the same location with the persons who need interpretation services.
Secondly, the phone interpreter needs to focus his/ her mind into his/ her voice. If the voice over the phone increases or decreases suddenly, the individuals who are being interpreted might get confused. Another issue with the interpreter voice is that it might not be properly heard, thus the general concept of the content might be missed or misinterpreted.
Thirdly, the in–person interpreter needs to master concentration techniques which would enable him/ her avoid possible distractions that might cause interruption or lack of proper message delivery. This is not highly relevant to the telephone interpreter. Usually, these interpreters are located in properly isolated rooms or offices that are free of distractible elements.
The telephone interpreter is usually required to be available any time of the day because of over the phone interpretation nature. This is not a prerequisite in the case of the in-person interpreter.
Thus, to be concluded, a professional interpreter can perfectly act as a telephone one or an in–person one as long as he/ she has acquired the above mentioned techniques.